News

Broiler sets, placements fall on week, rise on year

Broiler hatchery numbers closed out 2024 on a strong note when compared to the end of 2023.

The USDA says 249.204 million eggs entered incubation, down 455,000 from the previous week, but up 4% from the year before, with average hatchability of 79.5%.

190.624 million chicks were placed into meat production, dropping 3.987 million head on the week, but rising 4% on the year, with most of those birds moving to market starting in February.

Cumulative 2024 placements were 2% ahead of 2023.

The USDA’s next round of broiler production numbers is out January 10^th.

Comparisons for Brownfield states:

Arkansas: Sets: 26.044 million eggs, compared to 25.996 million the week before; Placements: 21.647 million head, compared to 21.403 million the prior week

Kentucky: Sets: 7.977 million eggs, compared to 8.016 million the week before; Placements: 5.423 million head, compared to 5.874 million the prior week

Missouri: Sets: 9.114 million eggs, unchanged from the week before; Placements: 6.569 million head, compared to 6.296 million the prior week

California/Tennessee/West Virginia: Sets: 15.841 million eggs, compared to 15.896 million the week before; Placements: 13.33 million head, compared to 13.832 million the prior week